Kitchen worktop buying guide
Kitchen worktop buying guide
Introduction
Choosing a kitchen worktop can be difficult because there are so many things to consider: What is the best material for kitchen worktops? What finishes and styles will complement the decor? What are the most durable kitchen worktops? And which worktops can have curves and shapes?
This kitchen worktop guide goes through all the kitchen worktop options available to help you decide. It covers types of kitchen worktops in terms of materials and looks at worktop thicknesses, finishes and styles. It then covers the kitchen worktop fittings you may need and advises on installation and maintenance. Finally, it highlights things to consider before buying a kitchen worktop and answers some frequently asked questions.
Choosing the Best Kitchen Worktop
There are several factors to consider when choosing the best kitchen worktop for a home.
First, consider the lifestyle of the homeowners and how the kitchen will be used, as this will help you decide which material is best. For example, people who cook from scratch every day, messy cooks and cooks who put hot pans directly onto the surface will need a durable, heat-resistant worktop that resists stains and scratches. On the other hand, if the homeowners use the kitchen for entertaining more than cooking, the worktop’s looks may be more important than durability.
Once you’ve narrowed down the choice of material, think about the worktop’s colour and finish, ensuring that it complements the kitchen cabinets and décor. Most worktop colours suit either contemporary or traditional kitchens, but some can suit both.
Another factor to consider is how much ongoing maintenance the homeowners are prepared to do, as different kitchen worktops need different levels of care. Many types of worktop material are maintenance-free, but wood, for example, needs to be oiled, and granite needs to be sealed once or twice a year.
One other thing to consider when choosing a worktop is the budget. Worktops vary in price considerably depending on the type of worktop material and its installation. Some worktops are suitable for DIY installation, while others require professional fitting.
Types of Kitchen Worktops
There are many different types of kitchen worktops to choose from, and they each have their pros and cons. Some worktop materials are more heat resistant and hard-wearing than others, which should be considered when selecting.
This section explains some of the most popular kitchen worktop materials and highlights their pros and cons and the things to consider when choosing that material. It also gives an average price to help you decide on the best kitchen worktops for your needs.
Laminate worktops explained
Laminate worktops are made from chipboard covered in a plastic laminate sheet. The laminate can be printed with any design, so there’s a vast range of styles and colours to choose from, with many mimicking other materials such as natural stone and wood.
Laminate worktop pros:
- Budget-friendly option
- Heat-resistant
- Scratch-resistant
- Stain-resistant
- Maintenance-free
- Anti-bacterial
- Durable and long-lasting
- Easy to install and cut with standard woodworking tools
- Suitable for DIY installation
- Easy to clean
Laminate worktop cons:
- Can peel and warp
- Heat-resistant, but not heat-proof
- Scratch-resistant, but not scratch-proof
- Stain-resistant, but not stain-proof
Things to consider when choosing this material:
- Laminate is the best worktop surface for people on a tight budget. It will look fantastic in the right kitchen but could cheapen the look of an expensive one.
- While laminate worktops are durable, they must be protected from scratches and scorch marks using chopping boards and hot pan trivets.
Laminate worktop average price:
-
£120 per square metre
Composite worktops explained
Composite worktops are manufactured worktops consisting of a substrate material such as wood covered in acrylic resin. They are available in modern and contemporary designs and have a seamless look, meaning that two pieces can be connected with virtually no visible join.
Composite worktop pros:
- Heat-resistant
- Scratch-resistant
- Stain-resistant
- Impact-resistant
- Maintenance-free
- Anti-bacterial
- Durable and long-lasting
- Almost invisible joins
- Easy to clean
- They can be moulded into any shape
- Straight lengths are suitable for DIY installation
- Often comes with a long warranty
Composite worktop cons:
- More expensive than laminate
- Heat-resistant, but not heat-proof
- Scratch-resistant, but not scratch-proof
- Stain-resistant, but not stain-proof
- Worktops made into bespoke shapes require specialist fitting
Things to consider when choosing this material:
- Composite worktops are one of the most durable kitchen worktops available, but they need to be protected from scratches and scorch marks by using chopping boards and hot pan trivets. And spills should be wiped up quickly to avoid staining.
- Composite is the perfect material choice if you want curves or unusual shapes, but bespoke designs must be prefabricated to order and fitted by specialists. This means there’s often a long wait for the worktop, and installation costs will be higher.
Composite worktop average price:
-
£300 per square metre
Solid wood worktops explained
Solid wood worktops are available in a wide variety of wood types. Oak is probably the most popular, but it can also be made from walnut, beech, ash, birch and many more varieties. And this means there’s a good range of colour choices available. Some wooden worktops are cut out of solid wood, while others are made by joining separate slats.
Solid wood worktop pros:
- Light stains and scratches can be sanded out
- Anti-bacterial
- Durable and long-lasting (when properly maintained)
- Easy to clean (but avoid using chemicals)
- They can be cut into any shape
- Suitable for DIY installation
- Appearance can improve with age
Solid wood worktop cons:
- High maintenance
- Stains easily
- Scorches easily
- Scratches easily
Things to consider when choosing this material:
-
Wooden worktops require a lot of care to keep them looking their best. For example, they will easily scorch, stain and scratch, so chopping boards and hot pan trivets are essential, and spills should be wiped away quickly. They also require oiling once or twice yearly to prevent the wood from drying.
Solid wood worktop average price:
-
£120 per square metre but can vary depending on wood type and thickness.
Quartz worktops explained
Quartz worktops are manufactured worktops made from quartz minerals bonded with resin. They’re available in a vast range of colours and designs, and the colours and patterns run throughout the whole depth of the slab.
Quartz worktop pros:
- Scratch-resistant
- Stain-resistant
- Chip-resistant
- Maintenance-free
- Anti-bacterial
- Hard-wearing and long-lasting
- Easy to clean
- They can be cut into any shape
Quartz worktop cons:
- More expensive than other materials
- Easily scorched
- Scratch-resistant, but not scratch-proof
- Stain-resistant, but not stain-proof
- Requires specialist fitting
Things to consider when choosing this material:
- A quartz worktop is very hard-wearing, but it’s not a heat-resistant worktop. So, it needs to be protected from scorch marks by placing hot pans on a trivet.
- Quartz is ideal if you want curves or unusual shapes because it’s made to order. But specialist fitting is required, which involves creating a template and cutting the worktop off-site before fitting. This means there’s often a long wait for the worktop, and installation costs will be higher.
Quartz worktop average price:
-
£500 per square metre
Granite worktops explained
Granite is a natural stone that forms deep inside the earth over millions of years. Huge slabs are blasted out of quarries, cut down to size and polished to make worktops. Because these worktops are a natural material, they have a non-uniform pattern, and every worktop is unique. This also means that the choice of colours is more limited compared to manufactured worktops.
Granite worktop pros:
- Scratch-resistant
- Stain-resistant
- Heat-resistant
- Anti-bacterial
- Durable and long-lasting
- Easy to clean
- They can be cut into any shape
Granite worktop cons:
- More expensive than some other materials
- Heavy
- Scratch-resistant, but not scratch-proof
- Stain-resistant, but not stain-proof
- Heat-resistant, but not heat-proof
- Requires maintenance
- Requires specialist fitting
Things to consider when choosing this material:
- The colours, patterns and veining on every piece of granite are unique, so you should always go and pick the slab you want.
- Granite can withstand high temperatures, but it’s not heat-proof. So, the surface should be protected from hot pans with a trivet.
- Granite worktops should ideally be re-sealed once or twice yearly to protect them from staining.
- Specialist fitting is required for granite, which involves creating a template and cutting the worktop off-site before fitting. This means there’s often a long wait for the worktop, and installation costs will be higher.
Granite worktop average price:
-
£270 per square metre
Other worktop types explained
The worktop materials above are the most common, but there are a few others to be aware of:
-
Marble: a natural type of limestone that’s blasted out of the ground and cut to size. Marble is chosen for its elegant and luxurious look and feel. It also stays cool to the touch, so it’s ideal for pastry makers. However, marble is prone to staining, scratching and chipping. So, it must be carefully looked after and professionally sealed every six months to reduce the risk of damage. On average, granite costs £315 per square metre.
-
Ceramic: made from inorganic and non-metallic natural materials fired at high temperatures. Ceramic is often chosen as a more durable and maintenance-free alternative to marble. It’s extremely heat-resistant but prone to scratching if chopping boards aren’t used and staining if spills aren’t wiped away immediately. On average, ceramic costs £350 per square metre.
-
Glass: made from toughened glass to minimise the risk of breakage. Glass is often chosen for its light reflecting properties, which brighten a kitchen. It’s non-porous, so it will never stain and can be wiped down easily. It’s available in various colours and finishes, such as ‘crackled’ and opaque. There are also recycled glass options which mimic the look of granite. Most glass worktops are heat-proof but prone to scratching and showing up watermarks and fingerprints. On average, glass costs £300 per square metre.
-
Stainless steel: stainless steel is an iron alloy with added chromium to make it rust resistant. Stainless steel is often found in commercial kitchens due to its natural anti-bacterial properties, but it’s ideal for creating an industrial look in any kitchen. It’s extremely strong and durable, easy to clean and heat resistant. However, it scratches easily and can make a kitchen look cold and clinical if used over large areas. On average, stainless steel costs £150 per square metre.
-
Compact laminate: like standard laminate, compact laminate has a solid substrate core covered in a plastic laminate sheet. However, unlike standard laminate, the core is less susceptible to water ingress and has a thinner edge. This worktop is often chosen for its modern, sleek, slimline look. It has the same pros and cons as standard laminate but is less likely to be damaged by water ingress. Compact laminate usually costs more than standard laminate, but it’s cheaper than composite, quartz and granite worktops.
Kitchen Worktop Finishes and Styles
Kitchen worktops come in a wide variety of colours, styles and finishes. Colours can range from soft, muted tones to vibrant bright colours and blacks. They can be a single solid colour or a mix of colours. There is also natural wood and stone, which include naturally occurring wood grains or veining. These can be authentic if you buy the natural material, or there are manufactured materials designed to mimic natural kitchen worktop styles.
Worktops are also available in various finishes, such as gloss, matt, textured or smooth. And different types of worktops have different profiles (i.e., the shape of the front edge of the worktop). For example, they can be square, full bullnose, or chamfered.
Kitchen Worktop Thicknesses Explained
The thickness of a worktop can have a significant impact on the overall look of a kitchen. A thin worktop gives an ultra-modern look and is suitable for use on the walls as a splashback. On the other hand, a chunkier worktop will really make a statement.
So, how thick are kitchen worktops? The standard thickness is usually 30mm, but there are 10 and 20mm options for a sleeker, more contemporary look, and some have thicknesses of up to 50mm.
Types of Kitchen Worktop Fittings
Worktops are usually sold separately, without any of the fixtures, fittings and finishes needed to install them. So, for a DIY installation, some worktop fittings may need to be purchased separately. For example, worktop clamps, connecting bolts, adhesive worktop tape and butt joints may be required to join and fix worktops in position. You may also need a protective aluminium sheet to stick to the underside of a laminate worktop above an appliance (i.e., a dishwasher or washing machine) to protect the worktop from heat. In addition, Worktop legs may be needed for a breakfast bar, and laminate edging caps are required to cover exposed cut edges of a laminate worktop at the end of a run.
Installation and Maintenance of Kitchen Worktops
Installation of a kitchen worktop will differ depending on the worktop’s material. Worktops that can be cut with standard woodworking tools, such as laminate, solid wood and some composite worktops, can be installed by any competent DIYer or professional kitchen and worktop fitter.
However, materials such as quartz, granite, marble, ceramic, glass and stainless steel require professional installation. This is because they must be moulded into shape or cut with specialist cutting machines. For this type of installation, the installers take detailed measurements of the required worktop to create a template. The worktop is then manufactured off-site before being brought back to be fitted.
Installation of a DIY suitable worktop takes around 1-2 days, depending on the size of the kitchen and the fitter's experience. This includes cutting the worktop to size and making cutouts for the sink and hob on site.
Professional installation of a templated and pre-made worktop will take less time to install (up to one day) because all cutting will already have taken place. So, there will be less mess and disruption than in a DIY installation. However, something to consider with this installation is that there's usually a few weeks wait between making the template (which can't be done until the kitchen's base cabinets are fitted) and having the worktop installed. So, often a temporary plywood worktop is fitted so the homeowner can still use the kitchen while they wait.
Kitchen worktop cleaning and maintenance
Once the worktop is fitted, follow these cleaning and maintenance tasks to keep it looking like new:
- Wipe the worktop down after every use using soapy water or an appropriate cleaner (check the manufacturer’s instructions as some cleaners can’t be used on some materials)
- Wipe up spills straight away
- Use a chopping board when cutting with sharp knives
- Don’t place hot pans on the worktop surface – use a trivet
- Apply a wood oil to solid wood worktops once or twice per year
- Re-seal granite worktop once or twice per year
Key Considerations When Buying Kitchen Worktops
The information above should help you decide which kitchen worktop types are best for your needs. But there are a few more things to consider before making your final choice:
-
What about kitchen worktop upkeep?
Most kitchen worktops require no maintenance other than keeping them clean. But solid wood, marble and granite worktops need oils, or sealants applied once or twice per year to protect them from damage. Unfortunately, they're also more prone to scratches and stains, so the user will always need to be careful when using the worktop. It's worth considering this if you're thinking about installing these materials. -
Do you need a worktop that’ll cope with hot pans?
Many types of kitchen worktop materials are heat-resistant and may be able to withstand a hot pan for a short period. However, heat-resistant isn't the same as heat-proof, so hot pan trivets are always recommended for all worktops. Solid wood and quartz worktops are most in danger of scorching, so it's best to avoid those materials if you want a worktop that will cope with hot pans, at least to a certain extent. -
What about fitting the worktop?
Consider laminate or solid wood worktops if you're considering DIY installation or onsite cutting and installation by a professional fitter. These are light, easy to cut and suitable for most situations. On the other hand, materials such as granite need to be cut by specialist tools, and it's extremely heavy to transport and difficult to manoeuvre, so professional installation is required. -
What sink are you looking to install?
Before making your final choice of worktop, consider what sink you are looking to install. If you want an undermount sink, for example, you'll need a worktop that's a solid material all the way through (i.e., solid wood, quartz, granite). A laminate worktop isn't suitable because the wooden substrate materials will be exposed when the sink hole is cut. If you're considering a butler sink, you'll need a strong worktop to support its weight, such as a solid wood worktop.